초록 ▼

A reagent pump assembly for metering precise volumes of fluids, such as reagent, for an analytical instrument, such as a clinical hematology or flow cytometer instrument. The assembly includes a multilayer block having a plurality of diaphragm pumps interposed between two of the layers, controlled b

A reagent pump assembly for metering precise volumes of fluids, such as reagent, for an analytical instrument, such as a clinical hematology or flow cytometer instrument. The assembly includes a multilayer block having a plurality of diaphragm pumps interposed between two of the layers, controlled by application of one of vacuum or pressure, in sequence, to fill the reservoirs and expel the contents of the pump. One-way check valves are used to control the fluid flow from the reservoirs of fluids to the fluid outlet ports. The fluid outlet ports may be directly coupled to fluid inlet ports of a compatible unified flow circuit, which contains reaction chambers and a plurality of sample aliquots. Thus, the reagent pump assembly can be used to combine and mix a sample aliquots with a precise amount of reagent in a reaction chamber, preparatory for analyzing the reaction mixture.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A reagent pump assembly for an analytical instrument in which precise amounts of reagents are to be mixed with precise sample volumes for analysis of a sample, comprising:a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;a middle layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;

[ We claim:] [1.] A reagent pump assembly for an analytical instrument in which precise amounts of reagents are to be mixed with precise sample volumes for analysis of a sample, comprising:a top layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;a middle layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;a bottom layer having a top surface and a bottom surface;a plurality of diaphragm pumps formed at a plurality of locations in an interface between the middle layer bottom surface and the bottom layer top surface, each diaphragm pump having a valve chamber and a pump chamber demarcated by a flexible membrane, each diaphragm valve having a first state corresponding to a filled pump containing a predetermined precision volume and a second state corresponding to an empty pump containing substantially no volume;a plurality of pressure control lines in said bottom layer, each pressure control line extending through said bottom layer to control the state of the diaphragm pump between said first and second states;a plurality of fluid input lines connecting said plurality of pump chambers to a like plurality of fluid supplies, wherein each fluid input line further comprises a first passage through said top layer, a second passage through said middle layer, and a first one-way valve interposed between said first and second passages, wherein the first and second passages and first one-way valve provide for flow of one of said fluid supplies into said pump chamber in response to the diaphragm pump changing from said second state to said first state, and no flow from said pump chamber to said fluid supply in response to the diaphragm pump changing from the first state to the second state, each diaphragm pump having an input line; anda plurality of fluid output lines connecting said plurality of pump chambers to a like plurality of output ports, wherein, for a given diaphragm pump, each fluid outlet line further comprises a third passage extending through said top layer, a fourth passage extending from the top of the middle layer and connecting to said second passage between said first one-way valve and said pump chamber and a second one-way valve interposed between said third and fourth passages, wherein the third and fourth passages and second one-way valve provide for flow of a precise fluid volume in said pump chamber to said output port in response to the diaphragm pump changing from said first state to said second state, and no flow from said pump chamber to said outlet port in response to the diaphragm pump changing from the second state to the first state.